Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, May 28: In response to leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, B S Yeddyurappa’s call for Karnataka shut down, district BJP staged a protest here on Monday, May 28. A protest march was organized from old taluk office to Clock Tower.

Addressing the protestors, Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde, president, BJP Udupi district said, “As per the call of our leader Yeddyurappa, we have organized this protest. People gave us mandate to see us as a ruling party for five years. But Congress and JD (S) made profane coalition and formed the government. Even after taking oath as chief minister, HDK did not form the cabinet.

“If Kumaraswamy is at the mercy of Congress, he should resign quickly. He openly said that he cannot waive off farmers’ loans. We had promised in our manifesto to waive off farmers loans in all co-operative banks and nationalized banks. This government will not be in power for more than six months,” he said.

Commenting on the mixed response for the bandh in Mangaluru and Udupi districts, Mattar said, “As schools are reopening today in both the districts, we have not forced anyone to take part in the bandh. Even though, a few of them have taken initiative and taken part in the shutdown”.

Speaking to reporters MLA Raghupathi Bhat said, “H D Kumaraswamy came to power saying that he will waive off the farmers’ loan within 24 hours of taking oath. He has not followed his words. Today, all over the state, BJP has organized shutdown. The government should waive off farmers’ loans in all co-operative and nationalized banks at the earliest. We have organized this protest to seek justice for the farmers.”

In Udupi, there was mixed response for the shutdown. Normal activities were not interrupted by the bandh.

Raghavendra Uppor, District Raitha Morcha President Uday Kumar Shetty, Prabhakar Poojary, Nalini Pradheep Bhat, Geetha Ravi Shet, Harish Ram Bannanje and BJP party members took part in the protest.